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Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) ERBE-like Monthly Regional Averages (ES-9) Data Set Abstract

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Table of Contents:

Data Set Description:

The ERBE-like Monthly Regional Averages (ES-9) product contains a month of space and time averaged Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) data for a single scanner instrument. The ES-9 is also produced for combinations of scanner instruments. All instantaneous shortwave and longwave fluxes at the Top-of-the-Atmosphere (TOA) from the CERES ES-8 product for a month are sorted by 2.5-degree spatial regions, by day number, and by the local hour of observation. The mean of the instantaneous fluxes for a given region-day-hour bin is determined and recorded on the ES-9 along with other flux statistics and scene information. For each region, the daily average flux is estimated from an algorithm that uses the available hourly data, scene identification data, and diurnal models. This algorithm is "like" the algorithm used for the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE). The ES-9 also contains hourly average fluxes for the month and an overall monthly average for each region. These average fluxes are given for both clear-sky and total-sky scenes.

The ES-9 archival data product is created as an HDF file with Scientific Data Sets (SDS) which contain data for each 2.5-degree region observed during a month. There are 10,368 possible regions; a given region is viewed by the scanner several times as the spacecraft passes overhead. For each region, data are stored for each hour that is viewed by the CERES scanner during the month. SDS data include the mean estimates of shortwave and longwave radiant flux at the TOA, the standard deviations of these estimates, the maximum and minimum estimate, and scene information or cloud condition. Similar parameters are determined for those scanner measurements that are identified as clear-sky areas. In addition to the hourbox data, Daily, Monthly Hourly, and monthly averages are also stored (see figure below).

Hourbox data and averages.

The ES-9 contains Scientific Data Sets written as six HDF vgroups:

  1. Regional Summary Data
  2. Monthly (Day) Averages
  3. Monthly (Hour) Averages
  4. Daily Averages
  5. Monthly Hourly Averages
  6. Hourbox Data (hourly averages indexed by day and local hour for each region)

The Regional Summary Data vgroup contains information such as region number, geographic scene type, and cloud cover for each of the possible 10,368 2.5-deg regions on the ES-9 product. The remaining vgroups contain clear-sky and total-sky parameters such as solar incidence, net radiant flux, longwave flux, shortwave flux, and albedo.

Additional information about the format and content of the ES-9 can be found in the CERES Data Products Catalog (PDF). Details concerning the science parameters and how they are calculated can be found in the CERES Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document for Subsystem 3.0 and in the ES-9 Collection Guide.

Summary of Changes:

The CERES Data Management Team and the Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC) at Langley use a Sampling Strategy, a Production Strategy, and a Configuration Code (CCode) to track versions of CERES archival data products. In general, minor reprocessing changes are tracked by increasing the Configuration Code while major reprocessing changes result in a new Production Strategy. The Sampling Strategy identifies the satellite(s) and instrument(s) which acquired the data in the product.

A summary of changes made to the ES-9 HDF product is shown in the following table.

Modification History for: Aqua | Terra | TRMM | Terra+Aqua | TRMM+Terra

Modification History of the CERES ES-9 Aqua Archival Product
Sampling Strategy and
Production Strategy
CCode Available
at ASDC
Impact on the ES-9 Product
Aqua-FM3_Edition2 (3)
Aqua-FM4_Edition2 (3)
Aqua-FM3_Edition1-CV (3)
Aqua-FM4_Edition1-CV (3)
025033 10/2010
  • No science impact.
  • Migration of software to IBM P4 platform.
Aqua-FM3_Edition1-CV (3)
Aqua-FM4_Edition1-CV (3)
024030 04/2006
  • No science impact.
  • Reprocessed to use all available input.
Aqua-FM3_Edition1-CV (3)
Aqua-FM4_Edition1-CV (3)
024029 04/2006
  • Eliminated data affected by Solar Heating.
Aqua-FM3_Edition1 (3)
Aqua-FM4_Edition1 (3)
024026 03/2005
  • Instrument Subsystem code changes result in less radiances processed. The worst case is 1.5% less records for a day and 0.1% for a month compared with 024025 processing.
Aqua-FM3_Edition2 (3)
Aqua-FM4_Edition2 (3)
024025 06/2004
  • (FM3) Corrected SW part of Total Channel spectral response
  • (FM4) Corrected SW part of Total Channel spectral response
Aqua-FM3_Edition1 (3)
Aqua-FM4_Edition1 (3)
024025 05/2004
  • No science impact.
Aqua-FM3_Edition2 (3)
Aqua-FM4_Edition2 (3)
024024 02/2004
  • Instrument calibaration update for both FM3 and FM4 instruments.
  • (FM3) Corrected SW part of Total Channel spectral response
  • (FM4) Corrected SW part of Total Channel spectral response
Aqua-FM3_Edition1 (3)
Aqua-FM4_Edition1 (3)
024024 02/2004
  • Instrument calibaration update for both FM3 and FM4 instruments.
Aqua-FM3_Edition1 (3)
Aqua-FM4_Edition1 (3)
023023 09/2003
  • No science impact.
Aqua-FM3_Edition1 (3)
Aqua-FM4_Edition1 (3)
023022 08/2003
  • Release of Aqua Edition1.
Availability: (1) Validation version only available to CERES analysts; (2) restricted to CERES Science Team; (3) public

Modification History for: Aqua | Terra | TRMM | Terra+Aqua | TRMM+Terra

Modification History of the CERES ES-9 Terra Archival Product
Sampling Strategy and
Production Strategy
CCode Available
at ASDC
Impact on the ES-9 Product
Terra-FM1_Edition2 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition2 (3)
Terra-FM1_Edition1-CV (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition1-CV (3)
025033 10/2010
  • No science impact.
  • Migration of software to IBM P4 platform.
Terra-FM1_Edition1-CV (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition1-CV (3)
024030 04/2006
  • No science impact.
  • Reprocessed to use all available input.
Terra-FM1_Edition1-CV (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition1-CV (3)
024029 04/2006
  • Eliminated data affected by Solar Heating.
Terra-FM1_Edition2 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition2 (3)
024026 03/2005
  • Instrument Subsystem code changes result in less radiances processed. The worst case is 1.5% less records for a day and 0.1% for a month compared with 024025 processing.
  • Linerally dropped FM2's SW channel spectral response by 0.25% from Dec03 level. Each month Jan04 to Nov04 has a 0.25%/11 drop from the preceeding month.
Terra-FM1_Edition1 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition1 (3)
024026 03/2005
  • Instrument Subsystem code changes result in less radiances processed. The worst case is 1.5% less records for a day and 0.1% for a month compared with 024025 processing.
Terra-FM1_Edition1 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition1 (3)
Terra-FM1_Edition2 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition2 (3)
024025 05/2004
  • No science impact.
Terra-FM1_Edition1 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition1 (3)
024024 02/2004
  • No science impact.
Terra-FM1_Edition2 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition2 (3)
023023 09/2003
  • (FM2) Corrected SW Channel spectral response
Terra-FM1_Edition1 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition1 (3)
023023 09/2003
  • No science impact.
FM1+FM2_Edition1 (2) 023022 07/2003
  • No science impact.
Terra-FM1_Edition2 (2)
Terra-FM2_Edition2 (2)
023021 07/2003
  • (FM2) Corrected SW Channel spectral response
Terra-FM1_Edition1 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition1 (3)
023021 07/2003
  • No science impact.
Terra-FM1_Edition2 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition2 (3)
FM1+FM2_Edition2 (3)
021020 09/2002
  • Instrument calibration updates for both FM1 and FM2 instruments.
  • Snow map algorithm correction.
  • Recovery of missing Edition1 data.
  • (FM1) Corrected SW part of Total Channel spectral response
  • (FM2) Corrected SW part of Total Channel spectral response
Terra-FM1_Edition2 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition2 (3)
021019 08/2002
  • Instrument calibration updates for both FM1 and FM2 instruments.
  • Snow map algorithm correction.
  • (FM1) Corrected SW part of Total Channel spectral response
  • (FM1) Corrected SW Channel spectral response
  • (FM2) Corrected SW part of Total Channel spectral response
Terra-FM1_Edition1 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition1 (3)
FM1+FM2_Edition1 (3)
021019 08/2002
  • Instrument calibration updates for both FM1 and FM2 instruments.
  • Recovery of missing Edition1 data.
  • Snow map algorithm correction.
Terra-FM1_Edition1 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition1 (3)
FM1+FM2_Edition1 (3)
019018 11/2001
  • No science impact.
Terra-FM1_Edition1 (2)
Terra-FM2_Edition1 (2)
FM1+FM2_Edition1 (2)
018016 04/2001
  • Applied HDF Compression.
Terra-FM1_Edition1 (3)
Terra-FM2_Edition1 (3)
FM1+FM2_Edition1 (3)
017015 11/2000
  • Release of Terra Edition1.
  • Slope/intercept Spectral Correction code updated to apply 2nd order polynomial fits for the window channel and for shortwave cloudy cases, and to perform interpolation of unfiltered radiances.
  • Provided new day and night spectral correction coefficients for FM1 and FM2.
Availability: (1) Validation version only available to CERES analysts; (2) restricted to CERES Science Team; (3) public

Modification History for: Aqua | Terra | TRMM | Terra+Aqua | TRMM+Terra

Modification History of the CERES ES-9 TRMM Archival Product
Sampling Strategy and
Production Strategy
CCode Available
at ASDC
Impact on the ES-9 Product
TRMM-PFM_Edition2 (3) 021019 08/2002
  • Snow map algorithm correction.
  • Recovery of missing Edition1 data.
TRMM-PFM_Edition2 (3) 019018 11/2001
  • No science impact.
TRMM-PFM_Edition1 (2) 016014 09/2000
  • No science impact.
TRMM-PFM_Edition2 (2) 015013 04/2000
  • Change Spectral Correction Algorithm to use slope intercept method.
  • Change LW TOA flux upper limit from 400 W/m2 to 450 W/m2.
  • New structure for ES-9 HDF products. Also, changed from HDF-EOS to HDF.
  • Modified slope intercept method (2nd (+) order curve fit) used in the Spectral Correction Algorithm.
  • New day & night Spectral Correction Coefficients for PFM, FM1, & FM2.
TRMM-PFM_Edition2 (2) 014012 03/2000
  • No science impact.
TRMM-PFM_Edition1 (3) 009001 10/1998
  • Both crosstrack and rotating azimuth measurements included in monthly averages.
TRMM-PFM_Edition1 (2) 008000 08/1998
  • Changed HDF parameter names.
TRMM-PFM_Edition1 (2) 007000 06/1998
  • Began generating ES-9 HDF product.
Availability: (1) Validation version only available to CERES analysts; (2) restricted to CERES Science Team; (3) public

Modification History for: Aqua | Terra | TRMM | Terra+Aqua | TRMM+Terra

Modification History of the CERES ES-9 Terra+Aqua Archival Product
Sampling Strategy and
Production Strategy
CCode Available
at ASDC
Impact on the ES-9 Product
FM1+FM3_Edition2 (3)
FM1+FM4_Edition2 (3)
024025 06/2004
  • (FM3) Corrected SW part of Total Channel spectral response
  • (FM4) Corrected SW part of Total Channel spectral response
FM1+FM3_Edition2 (3)
FM1+FM4_Edition2 (3)
024024 02/2004
  • (FM3) Corrected SW part of Total Channel spectral response
  • (FM4) Corrected SW part of Total Channel spectral response
FM1+FM2+FM3+FM4_Edition1 (3) 023023 09/2003
  • No science impact.
FM1+FM2+FM3+FM4_Edition1 (3) 023022 08/2003
  • No science impact.
Availability: (1) Validation version only available to CERES analysts; (2) restricted to CERES Science Team; (3) public

Modification History for: Aqua | Terra | TRMM | Terra+Aqua | TRMM+Terra

Modification History of the CERES ES-9 TRMM+Terra Archival Product
Sampling Strategy and
Production Strategy
CCode Available
at ASDC
Impact on the ES-9 Product
PFM+FM1_Edition2 (3)
PFM+FM2_Edition2 (3)
PFM+FM1+FM2_Edition2 (3)
021020 09/2002
  • Instrument calibration updates for both FM1 and FM2 instruments.
  • Snow map algorithm correction.
  • Recovery of missing Edition1 data.
PFM+FM1_Edition1 (3)
PFM+FM2_Edition1 (3)
PFM+FM1+FM2_Edition1 (3)
019018 11/2001
  • No science impact.
PFM+FM1_Edition1 (3)
PFM+FM2_Edition1 (3)
PFM+FM1+FM2_Edition1 (3)
017015 11/2000
  • New slope/intercept spectral correction coefficients for PFM.
  • Slope/intercept Spectral Correction code updated to apply 2nd order polynomial fits for the window channel and for shortwave cloudy cases, and to perform interpolation of unfiltered radiances.
  • Provided new day and night spectral correction coefficients for FM1 and FM2.
Availability: (1) Validation version only available to CERES analysts; (2) restricted to CERES Science Team; (3) public

Examples of Data:

At the present time there are no graphics available over the Web for the ES-9 product; however, the six quality control images (gif files) that are generated and made available on the Web for the ES-4 product are representative of the ES-9. Examples of albedo, shortwave, and longwave (clear-sky and total-sky for each) images from the January 1998 ES-4 TRMM data set follow.

  Albedo Shortwave Longwave
All Sky All Sky Albedo. All Sky Shortwave. All Sky Longwave.
Clear Sky Clear Sky Albedo Clear Sky Shortwave Clear Sky Longwave

Additional images and ancillary data sets (such as Directional Models) are available from the CERES ERBE-like Data Validation - Public Page.

References:

  1. Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Data Management System Software Requirements Document, ERBE-like Inversion to Instantaneous TOA Fluxes (Subsystem 2.0), Release 1 Version 1, November 1994.

  2. Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Data Management System Software Requirements Document, ERBE-like Averaging to Monthly TOA Fluxes (Subsystem 3.0), Release 1 Version 1, January 1995.

  3. Smith, G.L.; Green, R. N.; Raschke, E.; Avis, L. M.; Suttles, J. T.; Wielicki, B. A., and Davies, R.: Inversion Methods for Satellite Studies of the Earth's Radiation Budget: Development of Algorithms for the ERBE Mission. Reviews of Geophysics, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 407-421, May 1986.

  4. Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document, ERBE-like Inversion to Instantaneous TOA Fluxes (Subsystem 2.0), Rel. 2.2, June 2, 1997.

  5. ERBE Data Management System Reference Manual, Volume V(a) and V(b) (PDF), Inversion, August 1987.

  6. Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document, ERBE-like Averaging to Monthly TOA Fluxes (Subsystem 3.0), Rel. 2.2, June 2, 1997.

  7. ERBE Data Management System Reference Manual, Volume VI (PDF), Daily Data Base, Monthly Time/Space Averaging, November 1986.

  8. Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Data Management System Data Products Catalog (PDF), Release 3, Version 2, March 2000.

  9. TRW DRL 64, 55067.300.008E; In-flight Measurement Analysis (Rev. E), March 1997.

  10. Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document, Instrument Geolocate and Calibrate Earth Radiances (Subsystem 1.0), Release 2.2, June 1997.

  11. Brooks, D. R.; Harrison, E. F.; Minnis, P.; Suttles, J. T., and Kandel, R. S.: Development of Algorithms for Understanding the Temporal and Spatial Variability of the Earth's Radiation Balance. Reviews of Geophysics, Vol. 24, pp. 422-438, May 1986.

  12. ERBE Data Management System, The Regional, Zonal, and Global Averages, S-4, User's Guides, June 1993.

  13. Brooks, D. R. and P. Minnis, "Comparison of Longwave Diurnal Models Applied to Simulations of the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment," Journal of Climate and Applied Meteorology, 23, 155-160, 1984.

  14. Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Validation Plan, ERBE-like Averaging to Monthly TOA Fluxes (Subsystem 3.0), Release 3.0, February 1999.

Contact Information:

Investigator(s) Name and Title Technical Contact(s) Data Center
Norman G. Loeb
CERES Interdisciplinary Principal Investigator
E-mail: norman.g.loeb@nasa.gov
Telephone: (757) 864-5688
Takmeng Wong
Atmospheric Sciences Competency
Mail Stop 420
NASA Langley Research Center
Hampton, Virginia 23681-2199
USA
Telephone: (757) 864-5607
FAX: (757) 864-8197
E-mail: takmeng.wong@nasa.gov
User and Data Services Office
Atmospheric Science Data Center
NASA Langley Research Center
Mail Stop 157D
Hampton, Virginia 23681-2199
USA
Telephone: (757) 864-8656
FAX: (757) 864-8807
E-mail: larc-asdc-uds@lists.nasa.gov
URL: http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov

Acknowledgment:

The requested form of acknowledgment for any publication in which these data are used is:

"These data were obtained from the NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center."

The Langley Data Center requests a reprint of any published papers or reports or a brief description of other uses (e.g., posters, oral presentations, etc.) of data that we have distributed. This will help the Data Center determine the use of data distributed, which is helpful in optimizing product development. It also helps us to keep our product related references current.

Reference:

The CERES Team has gone to considerable trouble to remove major errors and to verify the quality and accuracy of these data. Please provide a reference to the following paper when you publish scientific results with the CERES data:

Wielicki, B. A., B. R. Barkstrom, E. F. Harrison, R. B. Lee III, G. L. Smith, and J. E. Cooper, "Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES): An Earth Observing System Experiment," Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 77, 853-868, 1996.

Web Page Information:

Document Creation Date: July 1998
Modification Dates: Aug 1999; Jan 2000; Feb 2000; Mar 2000; Apr 2000; Nov 2000 (Terra Edition1); Jun 2001; Jul 2002; Oct 2002; May 7, 2003; Sep 16, 2003; June 14, 2004; Nov 19, 2004; Mar 31, 2005; March 14, 2011
Review Dates: Feb 25, 2000; Mar 17, 2000; Apr 26, 2000; Jun 2001; Jul 2002; Oct 2002; May 2003; Sep 2003; Jun 2004; Nov 2004; Mar 2005; Mar 2011
Document ID:
Author: User and Data Services Office, ASDC
ASDC Help Desk: Phone (757) 864-8656; E-mail larc-asdc-uds@lists.nasa.gov
URL: http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/GUIDE/dataset_documents/cer_es9.html

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